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Lathyrus odoratus

July 10th Warm weather, marked some very large fl buds with petal just beginning to unfold — & after 22° found them fully expanded.

Contained an abundance of Honey & astonishing amount of pollen, wh. wd be useless except for crossing— But 2 stigma carefully examined showed not one pollen-tube protruded, though pollen-grain adhered to very viscid & good-sized stigma. — Frank also examined some apparently recent flower & found only 2 fl. with one or 2 grains with pollen-tubes protruded— Contended that they protrude later than with Pea, as I also believe am convinced.

The single stamen covers so well up with membranous margin to slit through the staminal tube (within which is stored the nectar). That it wd require by skilful insect to discover passage; & I have never seen one sucking, though I have seen belly-collecting bees on old flowers This must be the cause of non-crossing. (over)

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I & Frank also examined 2 or 3 very large flower-buds, i.e not fully opened & no grains had tubes protruded in front of opening.— I also examined another young flower & found a drop of nectar & no tubes.

The slit into the staminal tube, within which the nectar is stored, is covered by the single stamen, with broad, transparent membranous border; & so is completely closed, yet Farrer by bristle inserted the point within; but this wd be difficult operation for Bee, as proboscis wd have to be bent at tip at right angles.

Anyhow I have never seen English Bee make the attempt & honey lost.

The same Structure in L. grandiflorus. —Pollen is does not emitted emit pollen-tubes very easily.—